DECEMBER 24, 1938

Full News Archive

• Headline: Tragic Army Plane Crash in Alabama. Impact: This tragic event led to stricter regulations on military aviation, which ironically resulted in the invention of the most complicated safety manuals known to mankind—because if you can’t fly a plane, at least you can read about it.. Fact: The first military planes were basically flying tin cans. So, if you think modern safety regulations are excessive, just remember that the original planes were built by people who thought they could literally escape gravity with a prayer..
• Headline: National League Fielding Averages Unveiled. Impact: The obsession with fielding averages spawned a generation of fans who took statistics way too seriously, leading to the first-ever Fantasy Baseball League where people argued over imaginary players for decades.. Fact: Fielding averages are like the GPA of baseball—except instead of trying to get into college, you’re just trying to impress a bunch of other people who also don’t know how to hit a curveball..
• Headline: MRS. MORITZ GRAUBARD. Impact: Mrs. Graubard’s name became a symbol of understated elegance, inspiring countless future generations to take pride in their marital status, even if their husbands were still in their pajamas at noon.. Fact: If you think Mrs. Graubard’s name is unique, just wait until you hear the names of her children—who were definitely not given boring names like John or Sarah..
• Headline: November. Relief Costs Drop Here but Cases Rise. Impact: This paradox set off a chain reaction of budget cuts and social programs that would inevitably lead to a national conversation about how to balance compassion with fiscal responsibility—spoiler alert: it didn’t end well.. Fact: Relief costs dropping while cases rise is like finding out your favorite restaurant has a happy hour but they’ve raised the prices of the drinks. Cheers to irony!.
• Headline: PEARL BUCK PROUD OF HER 'BACKING EXIT'; Denies 'Indignantly' She Got Tangled in Gown Before King. Impact: Pearl Buck’s wardrobe malfunction became a cautionary tale for future authors, leading to the invention of ‘Gown Insurance’—because if you’re going to meet royalty, you might as well be prepared for the worst.. Fact: Getting tangled in a gown is a rite of passage for any author who’s ever had to dress fancy—because nothing says ‘literary genius’ like tripping over your own hem..
• Headline: Article 3 -- No Title; Blaine-Brandmarker. Impact: The lack of a title for this article caused historians to speculate wildly, leading to a new genre of 'Untitled Historical Speculation' where people create entire narratives out of thin air.. Fact: Sometimes the best titles are the ones that don't exist—like this article, which just goes to show that even historians can be confused and slightly annoyed..
• Headline: FABRITIUS PAINTING SOLD; Chicago Institute Gets Work by Rembrandt Disciple. Impact: The sale ignited a fierce debate over the value of mastery versus originality, eventually resulting in an art movement that focused solely on throwing paint at canvases and claiming it’s 'post-modern.'. Fact: Buying art is a lot like dating—everyone claims to appreciate the beauty, but deep down, they’re just hoping it appreciates in value..
• Headline: BOOKS OF THE TIMES; A Garland of Chestertoniana The Tale of the Phantom Butler When Fantasy Extends Reality. Impact: Chesterton’s work inspired future authors to write about imaginary butlers, leading to a cultural phenomenon where people became obsessed with the idea of having a butler, even if they could barely afford a pizza delivery.. Fact: Imaginary butlers are the ultimate life hack: they don’t require salaries, and they never complain about the state of your living room..